Weak Tang?

R

Recon Jack

Joined
Jul 10, 1999
Messages
37
I read in a thread somewhere about some knives with weak tangs that failed. I have not ordered a HI Ang Khola yet. I am waiting for some info from the company. How do you test or know if you get a knife with a weak tang? And can anyone tell me which knife would be the best size for the money? I am leaning toward the 18". I was told in an e-mail to get a knife from shop 2. All I have to compare is a Bolo that I got in the Phillipines. It is a 16", 12" blade. I read the article in Combat Knives by L. Thompson. Now I have the bug and have to have one. Thanks in advance for any info!


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Jack Russell
 
Jack,
I have one of the only two out of several thousand knives that had tang failure. Bothe of these knives were aberations. I don't know what is happening to the other one, but the one I have is nearing compleation of it's rebirth. It is highly unlikely that this problem will happen again.

The new Smiths were under a great deal of pressure (if only from themselves) to crank up production and one or two hurried a little too fast and things went "south". If only regular production mfg. companies could be so consistant.
Dan
 
If, in the extremely rare case, you recieve a kukri that fails either in the blade or handle,tang included, Uncle Bill will absolutely see that it is made right and that you come away from the experiance with very positive feelings for his wares/personal integrity. I remember one guy breaking the tip off while driving the tip into a log then twisting. Boy was that a big deal! That was the cause for many lengthy strings. There were also two tangs that failed. In each instance Uncle Bill honored the warrantee. Himalayan Imports are the best and cheap. I suspect that, being collector grade items, they will appreciate in value. Mine won't because I use it. It has scratches in the blade and a part where I modified the buttcap so it wouldn't blister my hand. Needless to say: You can't lose.
 
Jack, how do you tell? Easy. Take it out and do outrageous things that would void the warranty on any other knife. Slap it sideways against a rock, hard. Cut up an old car. Swing it hard as you can into a stump and then use a limb to hammer it spine flush into the wood. Try to pull it out sideways. It will either break in the first 30 minutes, in which case Uncle Bill will beg for it back and replace it to protect his reputation and to find what was wrong, or it'll outlast you, your children, and your grandchildren.
 
Thanks, boys, for doing my job. It's Hot August Nights in Reno and I spent yesterday afternoon and evening looking at classic cars. Saw an old 46 Ford convertible like I used to own. These oldies bring back a lot of memories.

Dan, Yvsa, has the 20 inch Sirupati with the failed tang and it is back to good as new. Welded the tang back and, of course, the welding softed it up like it should be. Yvsa tested it and said, "it should last ten lifetimes."

And the cause is hurry. The kamis say that 1 in 1000 knives are likely to suffer tang failure due to hurry usually. One in 1000 I can live with but would rather have no failures at all.

And, as Rusty said, beat the knife up. If it doesn't fail in the first 30 minutes of hard use it is not going to fail.

Uncle Bill

[This message has been edited by Bill Martino (edited 04 August 1999).]
 
Dan K,

What size knife did you have? And was it the Ang Khola model? Shop 1 or 2? Thanks,

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Jack Russell
 
Jack,
The knife in question is a BAS. I don't know if it's from Shop 1 or if it's from Shop 2 and it doesn't really matter. I think it is far too early to say that the knives from Shop2 are stronger than those from Shop 1.
That 18" is much bigger than you realize, especially if your point of refference is that PI bolo.
A lot of guys here whack stuff just to be whacking stuff. If you have some idea of what you want to do with a Khukuri, it would be helpful to know, to aid in stearing you toward the right knife for your first one.
Happy Trails,
Dan
 
I think you got a shop 2, Dan. If there is a serial number on it then it's from shop 2. No serial shop 1.

And, you're right. Come back in ten years to see which shop makes the strongest blade.

Uncle Bill
 
:
I was surprised at the size of the tang on the 20" Sirupati.
It was at least 5/8" wide by 3/8" thick and tapered very slowly up to the end which was about 1/8" wide X 1/4"long. Like it has been stated the tang was very hard. It was harder than what the cutting edge should be.

When the pix are posted would be the best time to give a review on what was done.I have to talk to my cuz and fnd out how long it took him to weld it twice. He is much like I am and if he isn't completely satisfied with something he will do it over.
I know it is one tough knife and won't fail again,Ever!

I love my 18" Ang Khola.There is much less difference between the 18" and 15" than there is between the 18" and 20" Ang Khola's.Mine is real close to 2 Lbs. on my old scales. My wifes 15" AK is real close to 1 1/2 Lb.

To me there is a world of difference in performance.The 1/2 Lb adds some I know and coupled with the additional 3" it does more work for me with the same effort.
The Shop 2 Kuhkuri's are the best buy as far as I am concerned.From what everyone says the blades are a tad harder and I know that is true between the 2 AK's we have.

The quality in appearence isn't quite as good from Shop 2,but with the difference in price and a possible harder blade it is a no contest for me.



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>>>>---¥vsa---->®
The civilized man sleeps behind locked doors in the city while the naked savage sleeps (with a knife) in a open hut in the jungle.
 
OK Fella's I am going to order the 18" Ang Khola in the morning. I will probably order one of the others later. I would like the people that responded to my post to know I appreciate it!

I have been on a few forums and clubs, etc. on the net. From the different threads I have read in this Forum, this is the best bunch of people I have ever communicated with. It's like a family, and everyone talks so civil to each other, and really take the time to explain things. I am really happy to be a part of this.

As far as what I will use this knife for, I don't really know. I saw them in the magazine and just have to have one. I do go camping though so I should be able to find something to use it for. My wife just says "another knife"? I say Honey I just got to have one of these!!!

Thanks everybody!

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Jack Russell
 
Pakcik Bill;
I read the article in Combat Knives by L. Thompson.
Click to expand...
I have read this statement in many threads either in BladeForums or in KnifeForums. It make me curious to know about it's contain. Would you please send me a photostat copy if you have that article with you.
 
MOHD,

Pakcik Bill???

If you are asking me, (Recon Jack)I have the article right here from Combat Knives. The article is called Killer Kukris, by Leroy Thompson. It is 5 pages, and has some really good pictures. (Himalayan Imports) Some nice old pictures to. If you e-mail a fax number, I will be happy to fax the article to you tomorrow. 8/5/99 (I don't have a scanner) I will have to make copies, all the pictures are black and white so it won't matter. I can send it about 3 - 5 pm central if you want.

Let me know before 1:00 central tomorrow 8/5/99 and I'll take it to work with me.

I think you will like the article. I have read a lot of Leroy Thompson's stuff, and I beleive he tells it like it is.

e-mail to russellj@alltel.net


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Jack Russell

[This message has been edited by Recon Jack (edited 05 August 1999).]

[This message has been edited by Recon Jack (edited 05 August 1999).]
 
Recon,

Sorry I couldn't get to this sooner but I had server problems yesterday and wasn't able to log on.

I broke the Shop 2 BAS. I had had it for a few weeks but had not been able to do any heavy work with it. The tang failed within the first few chops while testing it against some very hard, seasoned wood. Uncle Bill was VERY distraught and offered to replace it, free of charge, with anything in his inventory. The failure was highly unususal.

I have a 15" AK (shop 1) which is simply the best knife I own. I have done things with that knife which would destroy most knives. It is virtually unbreakable and will certainly outlive me! I trust it implicitly!

I know that you will be happy with the Shop 2 18" AK. If it is to be a using knife and you question it's strength and durability then take it out and try to break it. If it doesn't fail in the 1st half hour then you are good to go.

I am itching for a new blade. I want a shop 2 18" AK w/ flat buttcap and an 18" WW2 w/ flat buttcap. Unfortunately I am house poor and have no choice but to refrain. Some of these villagers (especially the large Sirupatis) have been REALLY tempting!!

Mike
 
Jack :

How do you test or know if you get a knife with a weak tang?
Click to expand...

Put as much stress on the blade as you think it should handle and see if it holds.

which knife would be the best size for the money
Click to expand...

For all around utility I would go with the WWII based on discussions with those who own them, and for heavier strain I would go with the Ang Khola. How large depends mainly on your hand size unless you want trail clearing abilties in which case the extra inches of the 18" model are very nice to protect your knuckles.

-Cliff
 
How are your ulcers doing Uncle Bill? (VEG)

Cliff's comment about the longer blade protecting your hand when trail clearing rang a bell. Yesterday I dumped out a manilla envelope full of junk, and found five photos someone had sent me of his product line some years back. One had the 10 1/2" Baghmarne and both swept and drop point 20" Khanjarlis. Both khanjarlis had D shaped handguards.( If you want, let me know before 3PM Pacific and I'll try to drop in in the mail so you can post it w/o going thru your 10K photo collection. ) The swept point is OK, and I could find a use somehow ( in my dreams ) for the baghmarne, but the ridged sided blade and center ringed grip on the drop point have me drooling.

So would these be the same deal as the others? Get an order to make 6 and you can send it off? Would there be any village equivalents? You know my tastes - blonde, brunette, or redhead don't matter if it's got the curves.
 
Recon just called and is now on the wait list for shop 2 18 inch AK.

Recon this is the khukuri Cliff just tested along with the ugly village model in case you are interested. Cliff did his usual excellent but severe round of testing (which is similar to the way I do it for whatever that's worth) and both village and AK refused to bend or break under EXTREME use.

And you are right about the group of guys who hang out on this forum. I have said it 30 times and I'll keep on saying it. You could not ask for a better bunch of guys and welcome!

Uncle Bill
 
Uncle Bill'

Check your e-mail. After talking with you and your comments about the shop 1 knives being so nice...
I have to cancel the shop 2 order, and since you have the shop 1's in stock I want one now, I can't wait till september!!! I want the 18" shop 1, if you don't have that send the 15", Ang Khola. And sorry for the inconveinence! I'll probably order the shop 2's when they come in, just e-mail me then.

Also did I dream it or did I read some where that you can get a Kukri with some special engraving?? Something like Expect no Mercy or Semper Fidelis? Thank You.

Does anyone know what size knives the Ghurkas used in service?

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Jack Russell

[This message has been edited by Recon Jack (edited 06 August 1999).]
 
Rusty, I am digging through the 10,000 pix file for khanjarlis.

Recon, your knife arrived yesterday afternoon and is on its way to your door today at 2PM Reno time. As I said, you just ordered about 8 hours too soon. Everything is going as it should.

Uncle Bill
 
:
Jack no matter which one you get you will fall in love with it.They get to be like good kids all are different and work different,but you love them all differently and the same amount.
( and you have a favorite and can talk about it in this case.
smile.gif
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)

I have said it before many times and I am sure I will say it again. I have taken a smaller knife to the woods and regreted it and wished I had taken the larger one,butI have never taken the larger one and regreted it.
Almost always I had a smaller one anyway even if it was just a 3 bladed stockman.

The 18"AK is a compromise,but I think it is the best one for me combining the size and weight that will do all I need done.The 15"AK I gave my wife sleeps on her side of the bed and is the perfect size for her. She is a strong girl and could handle the 18" as well as I can.She can handle the 15" one for a longer time though.

The 18" will serve your needs for camping in more ways than you can know at the moment. Your wife may be saying"If they made one of these a little smaller." before it's over.
Some like the WW II and I think it was the most popular one in a thread not long ago for all around use.
I have a Hanuman with the WW II blade and it is sweet and I see where it could be a favorite for hiking and camping.

The Gurkas use a knife like the BAS British Army Service and of course used the WW II in the past. I understand that a couple of the local peoples in the Gurkas like the Sirupati's. There are others that know more about this than me that will probably be along and fill you in better.




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>>>>---¥vsa---->®
The civilized man sleeps behind locked doors in the city while the naked savage sleeps (with a knife) in a open hut in the jungle.
 
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